Agenda and minutes

Condolences were expressed to the family of Sally-Ann Evans, Solicitor who had suddenly passed away.

Members and officers paid their respects with a minute’s silence.

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Dean Woods.

To receive.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To consider.

Members considered the time of future Partnerships Scrutiny Committee meetings.

The Committee unanimously AGREED that all future meetings commence at 10.00 a.m.

To receive the decisions of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on the 28^th March, 2023.

(Please note the decisions are submitted for points of accuracy only.)

The decisions of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on 28^th March, 2023 were submitted.

The Committee unanimously AGREED that the decisions be accepted as a true recording of proceedings.

The report of the Scrutiny and Democratic Officer was submitted for consideration, whereupon:

It was AGREED that:

-        Awen Trust Member Briefing be scheduled early in the new year.

-        Gwent Archives and Gwent Crematoria – strategic and relevant information including previous annual business plans and financial information which, would provide baseline data for Members be forwarded in advance of the reports being submitted to Committee in May 2024.

The Committee FURTHER AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and the Partnerships Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2023/2024 be accepted.

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Democratic Services, Governance & Partnerships.

Following a brief discussion when the Committee was advised of the Members of the Council that had been to both the Gwent Archives and Gwent Crematoria, it was AGREED that the Committee be provided with the details of the Link Officers for both these organisations once confirmed. 

The Committee FURTHER AGREED to recommend, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the findings of the Assurance Review be noted and the recommendations as outlined below be agreed:

-        A Link Officer be identified within the Council to establish regular liaison meetings with Gwent Archives and Gwent Crematoria by the end of March 2024.

-         A Member Briefing be organised on the operations and services provided by the Gwent Archives and Gwent Crematoria by end the end of March 2024.

-        All relevant strategic documents, annual business plan and accounts for Gwent Archives and Gwent Crematoria be included in the Forward Work Programme for the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee for 2024-25, and Council where relevant, at least twice a year.

-         The Terms of Reference be developed into a ‘governance toolkit’  for use by officers across the Council for providing assurance against existing companies and in the event of the establishment of any new ones by the end of March 2024.